Before this Europa League group got underway the trips to Istanbul and Amsterdam looked daunting. Those games produced two credible draws, but things went wildly wrong elsewhere.
Our goal last night was a peach. Dedryck Boyata split the Fenerbahce defence to open up space for Mikael Lustig to cross for Kris Commons, who peeled off his marker to create the space to head home. Unfortunately only one point was collected as we lost another Keystone Cops goal.
Craig Gordon seems to be struck by a lack of conviction this season. His was not the only failing at our repeated corner kick fiascos but letting a ball trickle through his legs as he appeared caught in two minds is indicative of a player who is doubting himself.
You know Kris Commons scores and creates huge goals for Celtic, we’ve discussed it often enough here. Despite his veteran status and apparent ill-fitting to our system he remains by far our most effective player.
For Ronny, it didn’t go wrong in Europe this season against Fenerbahce or Ajax (I’m absolving him of blame for Efe’s error or a last minute breakaway goal at Celtic Park), it went wrong home and away to Molde and Malmo. We appeared to underestimate both. Did the manager have something to prove against fellow Norwegian managers?
Celtic dominated possession stats in all four games against Molde and Malmo but the Scandinavians exploited the acres of space which simply didn’t exist in our games against Ajax, Fenerbahce or Qarabag, for that matter. Ajax, Fenerbahce and Qarabag got the respect they deserved, not so Molde and Malmo.
The failure is, of course, more complicated than that. Jozo missed the bulk of the campaign, while Dedryck is only just beginning to look like a footballer (lovely pass for the goal last night). Scott Allan looks promising, but we’ve not seen enough of him either due to injury.
Curiously, Ronny’s big 2015 No. 1 striker target, Nadir, looks less like a Ronny Deila player than anyone we’ve bought in years. Knowing we were interested in him, I watched his performances against Celtic last season, and made the same observation at the time.
What happens if your keeper’s form falls off a cliff, one of your new defenders doesn’t settle quickly, two other new players miss months through injury, and your new striker doesn’t morph into a different player? You finish bottom of the Europa League group.
Celtic must now consider their strategy for January. Successive transfer windows have left us weaker, not stronger. Identify the reasons, remediate and we can build on the away performances which bookended this Europa League campaign.
Check out the CQNBookstore. There’s 15 great Celtic books and 10 DVDs, you’ll love them.
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KJ in your opinion never forget that’s all it is. Which of course you are quite entitled to hold,interesting if you could tell us the thought process that led to this opinion. H H Hebcelt
Good morning friends from a cold and frosty, clear skied and gorgeous looking East Kilbride. Not only that, but in just a few hours we get to see The Champions play. Fantastic!
Morning Bhoys a frosty morning here in Central Scotland the ground is white outside. H.H.
Welcome back Jobo! Very, very frosty here in Cumbernauld.
Morning JOBO. Like you im looking forward to the game today I think it will be close.H.H.
Good Morning Timland.
A tough game ahead,still confident we’ll get
3 points…..and so I should be.
Jobo…..glad yer back pal.
Good morning NYE. H.H.
A much welcomed weather report from EK.
” no more sleeps”
HH.
Welcome back Jobo.
HH
Tammy doffed, Jobo……..
Baltic and grey-damp here in Corcaigh.
HH
Anyone know if Griffiths is fit for todays game ? H.H.
Morning all.
First real frost down here for long enough. I guess a lot of Scotland must be covered in the white stuff. Arran looks spectacular in the distance.
Hope we win today. Most of the team must be knackered playing 2 games a week most weeks.
JFH…….moooorning!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fair play to St Johnstone, I’m taking my daughter today (12) and her ticket was £0.
Morning Parkheadcumsalford. H.H.
Hamiltontim. Thats the way to encourage the youngsters as they are the future of the game.As you say well done to the Saints.H.H.
If a picture…………………….
:)
……………………….
ROY CROPPIE on 13TH DECEMBER 2015 1:48 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVhv1wDWoAArMve.jpg
Is it wrong to mock the afflicted?
NoCSC
Jobo
I had to explain to the wife why South American weather girls were on our Google history !
JFH
Am sure Leigh had a slight strain the other night and was not risked, kept for today, I have been known to be incorrect before but positive Leigh is fit and well
GERRYFRAETHEBRIG. That is good news as he has become a very important part of our team. H.H.
Morning bhoys and ghirls
Sub zero and a frosty coating on the streets of the East end of Glasgow.
Church at 10 then home for breakfast and watching the hoops stretch their lead in the spfl
Hoping Leigh is fit and the team have been reading the negative press and want to prove their point
Morning TBJ In my opinion you cant beat going to and enjoying a good Mass before settling down to watch the hoops. H.H.
Cheers, all.
Gerryfaethrbrig – you mean my colleague, Yanet Garcia? ;-)
Jfh
It is mate but her banner and pyro cost a fortune :-)
HAMILTONTIM. With being a dad with young ones there is always a catch.However,taking a daughter or son to watch the hoops is wonderful and something they will never forget going with dad. H.H.
Hamiltontim
I havnt checked if its a Sat or Sunday game , hopefully a Saturday game .
Timbhoy in Spain
It was about three years ago , I think. The girls wore white and red sweastsirts with red Ra Ra skirts it was outside the ground can’t remember what they were advertising ….stunning though :))
Welcome back Jobo !! :)
Good night on the blog last night, RC on the decks fabeedoo …….catchyeez :))
Jobo
The very one
HT
Sounds like your daughter has caught the Celtic bug, brilliant stuff
Off to 10am mass then chapel Christmas fair, raffle 1st prize two hospitality tickets for Celtic park, have warned Miss GFTB if she wins she better take me not her mother
Enjoy the game fellow Celtic fans, another 3pts and a few goals will be good
Morning Celts
Bognorbhoy.
Hope you and the folks are well.
Those photos from am…will you send them?
Tell young Bognorbhoy I was asking for him.
And….what have you been up to, anything inspiring?
HH
Welcome back Jobo:)
HH
Thank-goodness for CQN…
HH
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SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 12TH DECEMBER 2015 11:05 PM
On to more serious matters-
I believe it was earlier this week, some 5 years ago that Martin Kane was struck down by his terrible disease. Martin was a powerful and combative poster on CQN with a deep love of Celtic and its family.
I hope his spirit can be an example of the type of strong Celtic we can be.
Two wee songs from two guys who we lost this week 16 years ago and 48years ago respectively
it makes no difference
The Mad Man from Macon
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/lack-of-respect-for-molde-and-malmo/comment-page-25/#comments
THE GREEN MAN. Good Morning. H.H.
JFH
How’s it going Joe….Hope you are well.
Good result from the bhoys today I reckon.
HH
Paul 67 / WC
The ideal stocking filler –
A charitable idea for next Christmas maybe………………..?
“Christmas Quick Noel”……. A Festive CD where Jungle meets “Jingle”
Roy Croppie with the help of SoT and DBBIA to pull together a festive selection of Classic crowd pleasing choons.
All proceeds to our nominated charidddeeee ?
Just a thought……….
I’d buy one, actually I’d buy a few……….
HH.
THE GREEN MAN. I am fine fella thanks for asking like you im looking forward to the game weather wise its a great day for a game.I hope we can come back to Glasgow with all 3 points. H.H.
JFH
I hope Leigh is playing today….that bhoy will be hungry from the off, he loves it.
Keep it tight today, nice and tidy, and we can grind them down.
I go for 2-0 for our bhoys.
No matter what happens in the crazy world of football.
I will never lose that buzz of seeing the Celts run on to the park.
The Hoops are immortal:)
HH
Hamiltontim
Call myself a supporter !! Its a Wednesday night …..no chance of me going up , won’t finish work till 6-30 / 7 , I might struggle to get to the Parkville in time .
Great to see your daughter going with you , is she the youngest member of the GB ? :))
PS …the boys have went from singing COYBIG to …..Follow Follow ….gut wrenching ….still love the wee feckers to bits though .
I had to nip out there to pick up the young Miss
who was staying at her pal’s,the police were pulling
car’s over the pulled the one in front of me,I had a few
beer’s yesterday afternoon but wasn’t swalling last night,
with the new limit I may have been on thin ice,don’t take
the chance.
Bankiebhoy1
Brilliant idea , put my name down for a few as well.
This could be a real coup for the charities year on year …luvvin it absolutely luvvin it :))))
PETERBHOY on 12TH DECEMBER 2015 6:48 PM
Corkcelt& Hunderbirds ,I’ve just started ,three years on from BMCUWP,HT AND MINX and 16 roads telling me to post(the first hootenanny) so I reckon I must be the slowest lol
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At last! We thought you were just jooking outa yer round.
Welcome aboard. Ya Hun…